Born: February 7, 1915 – Died: November 14, 2002
Eddie Bracken was a comedic actor known for his distinctive features and memorable performances. Born in Astoria, Queens, New York City, on February 7, 1915, he was the child of Joseph L. Bracken. Eddie's journey into showbiz started at a remarkably young age. By the time he was just nine years old, he had already ventured into Vaudeville and nightclubs.
Early Life and Career
Bracken's breakthrough into the film industry came in 1940 when he took on his first featured role in the RKO production of "Too Many Girls." Notably, he had previously portrayed "JoJo Jordan" in the Broadway stage version of the musical. His introduction of the melancholic tune "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" in this film became a pop-music standard.
However, Eddie Bracken was no newcomer to Hollywood when he made this debut. He had already appeared in four "Our Gang" comedy two-reel film shorts. His popularity soared in the 1940s, thanks to his roles in musicals and comedies. He often played characters who were shy, clumsy, and stammering, endearing himself to audiences.
Two of Bracken's most memorable comedies were under the direction of Preston Sturges. In "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" (1943), he portrayed Norval Jones, a man whose destiny is thrust upon him when a woman convinces him to take credit for her pregnancy. In "Hail the Conquering Hero" (1944), he played Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith, a physically unfit man who is elevated to combat-decorated veteran status.
Over the course of his career, Eddie Bracken received three major awards and made a mark in Hollywood. He took a break from the screen in 1953 but later returned to pursue theatrical ventures, gracing both theatrical and TV films throughout the '80s and '90s.
Beyond his acting, Bracken had a notable personal life. He was married to Anna Constance Nickerson for 63 years, and they had five children together. His wife, Connie, was also his leading lady in the Broadway production of "What a Life" in 1938.
Eddie Bracken left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. He was celebrated for his unique comedic style and endearing characters. His ability to portray relatable, everyday heroes endeared him to audiences, making him an icon in his own right.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Ed (TV Series) | Stuckeyville Stan |
| 2000 | The Ryan Interview (TV Movie) | Bob Ryan |
| 1997 | The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (Video) | Sebastian (voice) |
| 1997 | Remember WENN (TV Series) | Pepper Canarsie |
| 1994 | The Cosby Mysteries (TV Series) | Vernon Hood |
| 1994 | Baby's Day Out | Old Timer |
| 1994 | Winnetka Road (TV Series) | Father Burke |
| 1994 | Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker (TV Movie) | Maj. Charles T. Alexander |
| 1993 | Missing Persons (TV Series) | Victor Deeley |
| 1993 | The American Clock (TV Movie) | Grandpa |
| 1993 | Rookie of the Year | Bob Carson |
| 1992 | Home Alone 2: Lost in New York | Mr. Duncan |
| 1991 | Oscar | Five Spot Charlie |
| 1991 | Monsters (TV Series) | J.J. 'Freddy' Fredericks |
| 1990 | Empty Nest (TV Series) | Fred |
| 1990 | Wiseguy (TV Series) | Father Patrick |
| 1990 | The Golden Girls (TV Series) | Buzz |
| 1989 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Cap'n Andy Hawks |
| 1986 | Blacke's Magic (TV Series) | Joseph |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories (TV Series) | Nelson Chumsky |
| 1985 | Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) | Barney Ogden |
| 1984 | Tales from the Darkside (TV Series) | Grandpa Titus Tolliver |
| 1983 | The Wind in the Willows (TV Movie) | Moley (voice) |
| 1983 | *National Lampoon's Vacation* | Roy Walley |
| 1977 | Busting Loose (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1977 | ABC Weekend Specials (TV Series) | Mr. Simpson |
| 1976 | Ellery Queen (TV Series) | Horace Manley |
| 1973 | The New Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) | Jake |
| 1970 | Shinbone Alley | Archy (voice) |
| 1964–1965 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Simeon Quatraine | 'Evil Eye' Hatton |
| 1963–1964 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Edgar Allan Smithers | Morris G. Stevens |
| 1962 | The Lady and the Stock Exchange (Short) | Mr. Jones |
| 1962 | Going My Way (TV Series) | Danny Everett |
| 1962 | Always on Sunday | Armando |
| 1961 | The Roaring 20's (TV Series) | Ace Johnson |
| 1960 | Play of the Week (TV Series) | Archy |
| 1959 | The Strawberry Blonde (TV Movie) | Hugo Barnstead |
| 1959 | The David Niven Show (TV Series) | 'Merlin' |
| 1955–1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | George Short | Herbert | Billy Cascade |
| 1957 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Climax! (TV Series) | Ira |
| 1957 | The Alcoa Hour (TV Series) | Charlie Joyce |
| 1957 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Stephen Minch |
| 1953–1956 | The Ford Television Theatre (TV Series) | John Stafford | Freddy Mallory |
| 1956 | Ethel Barrymore Theater (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953–1956 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Gunner's Mate | Peter Ward |
| 1956 | The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series) | Harry King |
| 1956 | Front Row Center (TV Series) | Sammy |
| 1955 | Star Stage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1955 | Goodyear Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Larry |
| 1953 | A Slight Case of Larceny | Frederick Winthrop Clopp |
| 1952 | The Gulf Playhouse (TV Series) | Lt. Merivale R. Colquhoun |
| 1952 | We're Not Married! | Wilson Boswell 'Willie' Fisher |
| 1952 | Screen Snapshots: Hollywood on a Sunday Afternoon (Short) | Eddie Bracken |
| 1952 | About Face | Boff Roberts |
| 1951 | Two Tickets to Broadway | Lew Conway |
| 1950 | Summer Stock | Orville Wingait |
| 1949 | The Girl from Jones Beach | Chuck Donovan |
| 1947 | Fun on a Weekend | Pete Porter aka P.P. Porterhouse III |
| 1947 | Ladies' Man | Henry Haskell |
| 1945 | Hold That Blonde! | Ogden Spencer Trulow III |
| 1945 | Duffy's Tavern | Eddie Bracken |
| 1945 | Out of This World | Herbie Fenton |
| 1945 | Bring on the Girls | J. Newport Bates |
| 1945 | Brotherhood of Man (Short) | Vocal Effects (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Rainbow Island | Toby Smith |
| 1944 | Hail the Conquering Hero | Woodrow Truesmith |
| 1943 | The Miracle of Morgan's Creek | Norval Jones |
| 1943 | Young and Willing | George Bodell |
| 1943 | Happy Go Lucky | Wally Case |
| 1942 | Star Spangled Rhythm | Johnny Webster |
| 1942 | Sweater Girl | Jack Mitchell |
| 1942 | The Fleet's In | Barney Waters |
| 1941 | Caught in the Draft | Bert Sparks |
| 1941 | Reaching for the Sun | Benny Hogan |
| 1940 | Too Many Girls | Jojo Jordan |
| 1940 | Life with Henry | 'Dizzy' Stevens |
| 1939 | The Hunchback of Notre Dame | Soldier at Festival of Fools (uncredited) |
| 1939 | Pacific Liner | Junior Officer (uncredited) |
General:
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
